Yarn tension control device



May 20; 1952 J.WARWICK 2,597,044

YARN TENSION CONTROL DEVICE -Filed March 28, 1950 IN VEN TOR. dOHN WARWICK A TTORNE Y Patented May 20, 1952 VUITED STATES Parent OFFICE 2,597,044 YARN TENSION CONTROL DEVICE John Warwick, Bellevillc, N. J., assignor to Spe- 1 Corporation, Belleville, N. J., a corporation of New Jersey Application March 28, 1950, Serial No. 152,391

21 Claims. (01. 242-150) cialties Development The present invention relates generally to yar tension control devices, and, more particularly, relates to such devices adaptedto control tension in the warping of yarn on beams or the like.

In preparing yarn for weaving or certain types of knitting, afwarp is provided which comprises a long spool-like device, known as the beam, upon which long len ths of many threads orends of yarn are wound in parallel relation. In order that the fabric manufactured. from the warp has a uniform texture, it is desirable that the ends are uniformly tensioned while being wound on the beam to facilitate supplying uniformly tensioned warp threads to the frame of the weaving or knit ting machine.

Heretofore, attempts have been made to uniformly'warp the beams by applying a uniform fixed force on each of the threads or ends to tension the same. However, the results attained by this method were not entirely successful, because of variations in the input tension or back-drag of the yarn prior to being tensioned and because of variations in the coefficient of friction of .the yarn,

due to slight differences in the manner of prepare ing, finishing and handling the yarn; Such variations in the yarn resulted in the warping of .ends at tensions which varied sufiiciently to cause difficulties both in the warping and weaving or knitting operations. In order to allow for these differences in tension,- the average tension of the ends was approximated and the beam Was rotated at speeds for properly warping yarn at such average tension. As a result, the warper was operated considerably slower than would normally be possible, thus sacrificing itseiiiciency. l

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a simple, economical tension control device which overcomes the foregoing diiiiculties.

Another object is to provide such a device whichis particularly adapted for controlling the tension in yarn during the warping thereof.

Another object is to provide such devices which are compact in construction and are adaptable for use with the creel from which the yarn is'supwarper Other and further objects of the invention will be obvious upon an understanding of the illustrative embodiment about to'be described, or will be indicated in the appended claims, and various advantages not referred to herein will occur to one skilled in the .art upon employment of the invention in practice.

In accordance with the invention, the foregoing objects are, accomplished by providing a yarn tension control device generally comprising a pair of members for receiving yarn therebetween, a support for one of the members having anaperture provided with screw means such as a screw thread, cam or the like, means such as a spring forurging the other member towards the supported member, a screw member cooperating with the screw means for engaging the other member and moving the same away from the supported member in opposition to the means for urging the members together, a control arm for rotating the screw member, and means such as a spring for resisting operation of the control arm. In a preferred embodiment of the invention about to be described, the supported member is cushioned to prevent chattering; the screw means are adjustable for positioning the member for reception of yarn of various diameters; and the springs are adjustable, preferably simultaneously, to vary their effectiveness.

A preferred embodiment of the invention has been chosen for purposes of illustration and description, and is shown in the accompanying drawing, forming a' part of the specification, wherein:

Figure l is a top plan View of a device in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 23 on Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary plan view taken from the underside of the device,

Figure 4 is a plan view illustrating a detail of the device. I

Referring to the drawing in detail, there is shown a yarn tension control device generally comprising a base It), upper and lower yarn tensioning discs i i and I2, a leaf spring It for urging the discs together, and mechanism for moving the discs apart including a control arm I5 responsive to the tension in the yarn and having a yarn guide 3 at its outer end, and a spiral spring It for opposing movement of the arm.

The base It is provided with a central opening I! (Figure 2), an arcuate slot [9 having indicia adjacent thereto, an upwardly extending formation 2|, an anti-ballooning target 22 intermediate the slot and the formation having a yarn guide 24 mounted therein, and a recess 25 between the target and the formation having a portion 26 cooperating with a screw 21 extending through the formation for securing the base to a rod 28 or other structure of the creel, warper or other apparatus on which the device is utilized. The underside of the base is hollow and is adapted to be closed'by a cover 39 detachably secured thereto in any suitable manner.

The formation 2| has a projection 3| thereon formed with a pin-like apex portion 32, and has an aperture 34 extending vertically therethrough located in a radial plane and positioned intermediate the projectioi'r 3| and the central opening H. A cam surface 35 is formed on the underside of the base and surrounds the aperture 34 (Figure 4). e

The lower disc i2 is supported on the base by means including a bushing 36 comprising a lower hub 3'| rotatably mounted in the central opening and provided with an annular recess 39 adjacent its lower end for receiving a spring clip 33 adapted to resist' rotation of the bushing, an upper hub or boss 40, and a flange 4| intermediate the hubs and' formed with a knurled upright rim 42 adapted for manual engagement to facilitate rotating the bushing. A threaded central aperture 44 extends through the hubs. The disc supporting means further include a member 45 having a central recess 46 at the underside for receiving the upper hub to support the member thereon, The member 45 comprises a flange 4'! surrounding the recess 46 and an upwardly extending tubular sleeve portion 49. A collar 50 surrounds the sleeve portion 49 and is supported on the member 45. and I2 on the supporting means just described, the lower disc l2 has a central aperture for receiving the collar 59 and has a depending flange 5| for supporting itself on the flange 4T.

Thelupper disc H has a central inverted cupshapedportion 52 for receiving the collar 50 and has an upright flange 54. Both discs H and I2 have an annular surface 55 between which the yarnpasses for applying tension thereto. The top of the portion 52 is conical (Figure 2).

It has been found that chattering of the discs H and |2 can be eliminated by interposing a felt washer 56 or the like between the flange 5| of the disc l2 and its supporting flange 41 of the member 45;

The upper disc isheld against the lower disc l2'by the spring l4. One end of the spring is supported on the projection 3| and has a rec'ess 59 (Figure l) for receiving the apex pin 32. The other end of the spring extends across the top of the cup-shaped portion 52 of the upper disc and has a felt disc 60 on the underside thereof which acts as a brake on the conical top to control rotation of the discs. The spring is urged downwardlyto seat its ends on the projection 3| and the upper disc II, respectively, by a rod 6| extending through an aperture 62 in the spring between its ends and having a head 64 for engagingtheupper surface of the spring. The rod 6| is mounted for sliding movement in the aperture 34 of the base formation 2| and such movement is effected by means described hereinafter.

The upper disc II is adapted to be raised in opposition to the spring M by mechanism which includes a screw member 65 comprising a, rod-like upper section 66 extending through the sleeve 49 for engaging the underside of the cup-shaped portion '52of the upperdisc, an intermediate In order to mount the discs 4 threaded section 67 which extends through the aperture 44 of the bushing 36 and cooperates with the threads therein, and a lower section having a collar 69 secured thereto.

The inner end of the control arm |5is secured to the collar 69 whereby movement of the arm in response to variation of the tension in the yarn effects rotary movement of the screw member 65 which by reason of its threads and the threads of the aperture 44 is moved vertically upwardly and downwardly in small increments to control the movement of the upper disc I The'spiral spring l6 which resists operation of the-control arm has its inner end secured to the collar 69 and has its outer end connected to a member 19 positioned in the slot I9. The effectiveness of the spring I6 may be varied by adjustlng the position of the member 10 in the slot. To facilitate the latter, the member 10 comprises a knob portion 'H and a threaded shank 12 cooperating with clamping means such as a nut 74 for securing the member 10 in desired positions of adjustment. The member also carries a pointer or index member 15 which cooperates with the indicia to indicate the value of the force that the spring H5 is adapted to exert. The force exerted by the spring |4 may be ad justed simultaneously with the adjustment of.

the spring I6. Such mechanism, as shown, in-

cludes a cam member 16 secured to the lower end of the rod 6| and having a cam surface 11 identical to and adapted to cooperate with the cam surface 35 (Fig. 4), whereby upon rotation of the cam member 16, the rod is raised and lowered by adjusting the spring I4. To effect such rotation of the cam member 16, an arm 19 has one end secured to the cam member and has itsother end pivotally connected to the adjusting member 10' (Figures 2 and 3).

In order to adjust the device described herein, the bushing 36 is rotated to raise or lower the screw member 65 which spaces the upper disc II with respect to the lower disc to accommodate yarn of a given diameter. The yarn is then passed through the guide 24, between the discs and I2 and through the guide l3, as shown' in Figure 1. The member 10 is next positioned to adjust the resistance of the spring Hi to movement of the control arm [5 and to adjust the force of the spring l4 holding the discs together, thereby determining the tension to be put into the yarn. 1

As the yarn passes through the device, the control arm |5 will respond to variations in 'the tension thereof to operate the screw member 65 which in turn varies the relative positions of the yarn discs H and I2 to compensate for such variations in tension, whereby the outputtension of the yarn is maintained substantially uniform.

From the foregoing description, it will be seen that the present invention provides a. tension control device particularly adapted for warping.

which has numerous advantages. The device maintains uniform tension on every end in .the. warp, while the yarn passes therethrough at a rate as high as about 900 yards per minute without subjecting the, beam to high strains or. buckling due to excessive tension. .The device.

eliminates stressed yarn or shiners" and minimizes the down time due to high tension breakage or loose end stoppage. The device is simple, compact and sturdy in construction, is economical a to manufacture,v and is easyito adjust and thread.

As various changes maybe made in the form,-

construction and arrangement of the parts herein, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and without'sacrificing any of its advantages, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to b interpreted as illustrative'and not in any limiting sense.

I claim:

1. A yarn tension control device comprising a pair of members for receiving the yarn therebetween, a support for one of said members having an aperture provided with screw means, means for urging said other member towards said supported member, a screw member cooperating with said screw means and extending through said support and said supported member for engaging said other member, a control arm operable by the yarn passing between said members for rotating said screw member and causing said other member to be moved away from said supported member, and means for resisting operation of said arm.

2. A yarn tension control device comprising a base having an aperture extending upwardly therethrough provided with a screw means, a-

friction disc supported on said base having a central aperture in registry with said base aperture, a second friction disc superimposed on said first disc for cooperation therewith to receive the yarn therebetween, a spring for urging said second disc towards said first disc, a screw cooperating with said screw means and extending through said disc aperture for engaging said second disc, a control arm operable by the yarn passing between-said discs and connected to said screw for eifecting rotation thereof to cause said screw to raise said second disc, and a spring'for resisting operation of said arm.

3. A yarn tension control device comprising a base having an aperture extending upwardly therethrough, a bushing rotatably mounted in said aperture provided with a screw means, a friction disc supported on said base having a central aperture in registry with said bushing, a second friction disc superimposed on said first disc for cooperation therewith'to receive thejyarn therebetween, a spring for urging said second disc towards said first'disc, a screw cooperating with said screw means and extending through said disc aperture for engaging said second disc, a control arm operable by the yarn passing between said discs and connected to said screw for effecting rotation thereof to cause said screw to raise said second disc, and a spring for resisting operation of said arm;

4. A yarn tension control device comprising a base having an aperture extending upwardly therethrough, a bushing rotatably mounted in said aperture provided with a screw means, a friction disc supported on said base having a central aperture in registry with said bushing, a second friction disc superimposed on said first disc for cooperation therewith to receive the yarn therebetween, a spring for urging said second disc towards said first disc,'a screwcooperating with said screw means and extending through said disc aperture for engaging said second disc, a control arm operable by the yarn passing between said discs and connected to said screw for effecting rotation thereof to cause said screw to raise said second disc, a spring for resisting operation of said arm, and means associated with said bushing forrestraining rotation thereof. J

5.;A yarn tension control devicev comprising a base, a friction disc supported on said base, a

6, second friction disc superimposed on said first disc for cooperation therewith to receive the yarn therebetween, a leaf spring secured to saidbase for urging said second disc towards said first disc, a control arm mounted on said base operable by the yarn passing between said discs, means connected to said arm for raising said second disc, and a spring for resisting operation of said arm. v

6. A yarn tension control device comprising a base 'having an aperture extending upwardly therethrough and provided with a screw means and having a circumferential slot, a friction disc supported on said base having a central aperture in registry with said base aperture, a second friction disc superimposed on said first disc for cooperation therewith to receive the yarn therebetween, a spring for urging said second disc towards said first disc, a screw cooperating with said screw thread and extending through said disc aperture-for engaging said second disc, a control arm operable by the yarn passing between said discs and connected to said screw for effecting rotation thereof to cause the screw to rais said second disc, a spring'for resisting operation-of said arm having one end secured to said arm, and means movably mounted in said slot having the other end of said last mentionedspring secured thereto for varying the effectiveness thereof.

7. A yarn tension control device comprising a base, a cushion member mounted on said base, a friction disc supported on said cushion member, a second friction disc superimposed on said first friction disc for cooperation therewith to receive the yarn therebetween, spring means for urging said second friction disc towards said first friction disc, a control arm mounted on said base operable by the yarn passing between saidfriction discs means connected to said arm for raising said second friction disc, and a spring for resisting operation of said arm.

8. A yarn tension control device comprising a base, a cushion member mounted on said base, a friction disc supported on said cushion member, a second friction disc superimposed on said first friction disc for cooperation therewith to receive the yarn therebetween, a leaf spring secured to said base having an end for urging said second friction disc towards said first friction disc, cushioning means between said spring end and said second disc, a control arm mounted on said base operable by the yarn passing between said friction discs, means connected to said arm for raising said second friction disc, and a spring for resisting operation of said arm.

9. A yarn tension control device comp-rising a base having an aperture extending upwardly therethrough, a member including a bushing rotatably mounted in said aperture provided with a screw bore and including a flange on said base for rotating said bushing, a friction disc having a central aperture in registry with said bushing bore, a second friction disc superimposed on said first disc for cooperation therewith to receive yarn therebetween, a spring for urging said second disc towards said first disc, a screw cooperating with said screw bore and extending through said disc aperture for engaging said second disc, a control arm operable by the yarn passing between said'discs and connected to the lower end of said screw for effecting rotation thereof to cause said screw to raise said second disc, and a spring at the underside of said base for resisting operation of said arm.

10. A yarn tension control; device comprisinga base having an aperture extending upwardly therethrough, a member including a bushing rotatably mounted in'said aperture provided with" tral aperture inregistry with-said bushing bore, a second friction disc superimposed on said first;

disc for cooperation therewith to receiveyarn therebetween, a spring for urging said second disc towards said first disc,a screwcooperating with said screw ,boreand extending througirsaid disc aperture for engaging said ;second disc,: a

control arm operable by --the yarn passing between said discs and connectedtq the lower; end of: said screw for effecting rotation-thereof; to cause said screw to raise said second disc, a spring at the-underside of-said base for resisting opera tion of said arm, and resilient-means on: said base cooperating with said peripheral recesses for restraining rotation of said flange.

11. A yarn tension control device comprising a base having an aperture extending upwardly therethrough, a member including a bushing rotatably mounted in said aperture provided with a screw bore and including a flange on said base for rotating said bushing-provided with a central recess, an annular cushion member in said recess, a friction disc on said cushion member having a central aperture, a second friction disc superimposed on said first disc for cooperation therewith to receive yarn therebetween, a spring for urging said second disc towards said first disc, a screw cooperating with said screw bore and extending through said cushion member and said disc aperture for engaging said second disc, a control arm operable by the yarn passing between said discs andconnectedto the lower end of said screw for'effecting rotation thereof to cause said screw to raise said second disc, and a spring at the,underside of said base for resisting operation of said arm. 1 V I 12'. A yarn tension control device comprising a base having an aperture extending upwardly therethrough and a circumferentialslot, a mem ber including abushing 'rotatably mounted in said aperture provided with'a screw bore and including a flange on said base for rotating said bushing, a friction disc having a. central aperture in registry'with said bushing bore, 'a second friction disc superimposed on said first disc for cooperation therewith to receive yarn therebetween, a spring for urging'said second disc to wards said first disc, a screw cooperating with said screw bore and extending through said disc aperture for engaging said second disc, a control arm operable by the yarn passing between said discs and connected to the lower end of said screw for eiiecting rotation thereof to cause said screw to raise said second disc, a spring at the underside of said base for resisting operation of said arm having one end secured to said arm, and means movably mounted in said slot having the other end of said last 'mentioned spring secured thereto for varying the effectiveness thereof. 1

13. A yarn tension control device comprising a substantially circular base having a central aper ture extending upwardly therethrough, a circumferential slot, and an upright post opposite said slot; a member including a bushing rotatably recesses and acentr'al recess; an annular cushion member in 'said' central: recess aifriction. disc.

on said cushion member-having a centraliapierr. turey'a second frictionjdisc superimposed :on

said first disc for cooperation: therewithtolreceive yarn therebetween; a leaf'spring having operable by the yarn passing between said discs and connected to the lower end of said screw for effecting rotation thereof tocause saidscrew to raise said second disc,-a spring at-theunderside of said base for resisting operation ofsaid arm having one end secured to said arm, means movably mounted in said slot having the other end of said last mentioned spring secured thereto for varying the effectiveness thereof, and resilient means on said base cooperatingwith said peripheral recessesfor, restraining rotation ;,of

saidflange. :1;

H14. A-yarn tension control deviceaccording to claim 13,1wherein said base hasa pair of spaced apart stops for said'arm intermediate said slot and said post and has an-upright wall opposite said stops provided with means for therethrough.- 1 a V 15.1A yarn tension control device comprisinsra base having an aperture extendingvupwardly therethrough provided with a screw means and having an upright wall spaced from said aper-,, tureprovided with means for guiding the yarn therethrough, a friction disc supported, on; said base having a central aperture;;i n registrywith said base aperture, a second friction disc superimposed on said first disc for cooperation therewith to receive the yarn therebetween, a spring for urging said second disc towards said first disc, a screw cooperating with said screw means and extending through said disc aperture for en-, gaging said second disc, acontrolarm operable by the yarn passing between said discs and connected to said screw for effecting rotation thereof to cause said screw to raisesaid second disc, and a spring for resisting operation of said arm, said base having a pair ofspaced apart stops for said arm opposite said upright walL;

16. A yarn tension control device according to claim 15, wherein saidbase has an upright post intermediate said wall and said stgps and said first mentioned spring is a leaf spring having one therebetween, a spring for urging said second disc I towards said first disc, a screw cooperatingwith said screw means and extending through said disc aperture for engaging said second disc, a control arm operable by the yarnpassing between said discs and connected to said screw for effecting-rotation thereof to cause said screw :to raise said second disc, a spring for resistingoperation of'said arm, and means for simultaneously vary-' ing the effectiveness of both of said springs.

18. A yarn tension control device comprising a base, a friction disc supported on said base,- a second friction disc superimposed on said first guiding yarn disc for cooperation therewith to receive the yarn therebetween, a leaf spring secured to said base I for urging said second disc towards said first disc, a control arm mounted on said base operable by the yarn passing between said discs means connected to said arm for raising said second disc, a spring for resisting operation of said arm, and means for simultaneously varying the effectiveness of both of said springs.

19. A yarn tension control device comprising a base having an aperture extending upwardly therethrough and provided with a screw means and having a circumferential slot, a friction disc supported on said base having a central aperture in registry with said base aperture, a second friction disc superimposed on said first disc for cooperation therewith to receive the yarn therebetween, a spring for urging said second disc towards said first disc, a screw cooperating with said screw thread and extending through said disc aperture for engaging said second disc, a control arm operable by the yarn passing be tween said discs and connected to said screw for effecting rotation thereof to cause the screw to raise said second disc, a spring for resisting operation of said arm having one end secured to said arm, means movably mounted in said slot having the other end of said last mentioned spring secured thereto for varying the effectiveness thereof, a pivotally mounted arm having its free end connected to said last mentioned means, and means at the other end of said last mentioned arm including a cam for varying the efiectiveness of said first mentioned spring.

20. A device for tensioning yarn comprising a pair of friction discs including an upper disc and a lower disc arranged for receiving the yarn therebetween and said upper disc being movable with respect to said lower disc, a fixed cam, follower means engaging said fixed cam and being mounted for rotation with respect thereto, an element engaging said upper disc and urging the same towards said lower disc, means connecting said element and said follower means, and means for effecting rotative movement of said follower means to render said element at least partially inefiective.

21. A device for tensioning yarn comprising a base, a lower friction disc supported by said base, an upper friction disc mounted on said lower disc and arranged with respect thereto for receiving the yarn therebetween, said upper disc being movable with respect to said lower disc, a leaf spring connected to said base and engaging said upper disc to urge the same towards said lower disc, an upright rod slidably mounted on said base having its upper end connected to said spring, an arm pivotally mounted at one end thereof, and cam means associated with said pivotally mounted end of said arm for moving said rod to vary the force exerted by said spring on said upper disc.

JOHN WARWICK.

REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Hanson Apr. 21, 1925 Number 

